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July 17, 2018 by: Gina

Must Have Tech for Travel with Kids

Filed Under: family travel, featured, tech & play Tagged With: smartphone, vacation

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This is going to be a great summer! We’re vacationing earlier than usual this year, due it being an incredibly stressful year, with LOTS of changes on the horizon for the kids. And, we will be driving. In light of that, we have to determine must have tech for travel with kids!

must have tech for travel with kids

This year is unique in that we are going to let the kids go swimming respite, then pack ’em up in the car and drive down to Virginia. We’ve found a Mellow Mushroom to eat just before we arrive and we’ll be packing up Epsom salt to detox all that nasty chlorine. Other than that, it’ll be Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, and a relaxing swim vacation!

I’m reposting this blog from 2014 because I’m going to need this for those car trips!

Mom and Dad’s Phones

Of course, you’ll need these especially if you don’t have GPS (or your car breaks down), to plot out destinations, bathrooms, and the nearest gluten-free restaurants. Make sure you have the app, Find Me GF App. It was a hit in locating an AWESOME GF burger joint that was affordable in Manhattan and tracking down last minute food for hungry kiddos after all that traveling. I love this app and use it everywhere!  The key is to make sure the kids don’t get your phone while driving. They’ll suck down all your power and then you’ll be stuck if you need to make an emergency call, get lost or have to track down a bathroom. To solve that, make sure you bring…

Old Phones for the Kids

must have tech for travel

Assuming your kids don’t have activated phone of their own or you don’t want to bring them on vacation, this is an ideal solution. If you have old phones lying around that no one will take off your hands, that’s perfect. Download games you can play offline, load up movies or music, and make sure the camera function is intact in case you have a junior photographer in your back seat. DO NOT let the kids take your phone because you’ll need them to navigate.

iPad and/or Portable Gaming System

Yea, we bring these – sometimes. The iPad is excellent to help a nonverbal child with an app like ProLoQuo2Go talk through their needs or to set up a vacation reward system. It’s also good for loading up some movies on a larger yet still portable screen, or if mom needs to get some blogging work done. (In that case, bring your Mac keyboard along too, if you have one). Or try with a highly interactive app. Avoid the music ones or you may want to shoot yourself by the time you get there. Load up a movie too (NOT Chipmunks!)

Easy Low Tech

must have tech for travel with kids

Sometimes kids DO get tired of games and movies. Obviously, you don’t want to bring a bagful of crafts, pens, or games with parts. (For me, portable games are just an invitation to lose pieces away from home!) Self-contained toys are ideal for car and plane trips. like the Ohio Art Pocket Doodle Sketch for under $10, so your kids can draw without mess or fuss or extra pieces.

Spare Car Charger

And whatever you do, do NOT forget a spare charger – or charging it on the way! If you have one that plugs into your lighter, all the better. Ours is dual recharger – pretty sweet!

 

 

Enjoy your vacation and remember to relax on the way… 🙂

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Filed Under: family travel, featured, tech & play Tagged With: smartphone, vacation

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Comments

  1. Jeanine @MommyEntourage says

    August 7, 2014 at 3:07 pm

    Our must have is snacks! My kids always love something to munch on during long car rides!

    • Gina B says

      August 7, 2014 at 10:19 pm

      Totally a must-have! That is one that we always forget 🙁

  2. Heather says

    August 7, 2014 at 3:16 pm

    We do the old phone trick too!

  3. latanya says

    August 7, 2014 at 9:38 pm

    teenage mutant ninja turtle figures

  4. Susan P says

    August 7, 2014 at 9:41 pm

    Same here with old phones! We gave my iPhone 4 to my youngest daughter when the older kids bought iPods with their Christmas money. She loves it. But I found out the hard way I should have removed all my contacts first. She texted a couple of them some rather odd messages.

    • Gina B says

      August 7, 2014 at 9:49 pm

      Oh no! Amelia has done that to Chris, LOL!

  5. Caitlin says

    August 8, 2014 at 12:04 am

    a travel travel that hooks on to her carseat. Perfect for coloring, crafts and meals!

  6. Margaret Smith says

    August 8, 2014 at 12:57 pm

    Usually some games, snacks, some small toys.

  7. jodi says

    August 8, 2014 at 2:37 pm

    snacks, ipad to watch movies on, travel pillow and more snacks

  8. natosha says

    August 8, 2014 at 4:20 pm

    I think for kids I would need to have a handheld game system or a book of puzzles to keep the kids entertained.

  9. kelly mcgrew says

    August 8, 2014 at 6:46 pm

    dont have kids but i need my kindle!

  10. Alan Saxon says

    August 8, 2014 at 7:01 pm

    Handheld gaming device.

  11. Ann Fantom says

    August 8, 2014 at 7:46 pm

    Tissues, granola bars and Nintendo games.

  12. Dawn Hecke says

    August 8, 2014 at 9:00 pm

    A must have for travelling with kids is snacks,pens,paper,crayons,tablets and earphones.

  13. Katie P says

    August 8, 2014 at 10:02 pm

    Snacks & water!

  14. Tina Bredbury says

    August 8, 2014 at 10:47 pm

    Movies, Ipad, Games, Coloring and food. ALL MUST HAVES 🙂

  15. Brenda says

    August 8, 2014 at 11:06 pm

    Travel games like Bingo and connect four.

  16. Samantha Daleo says

    August 8, 2014 at 11:52 pm

    No matter how old they get, a good ol’ sketch pad and pencils are both of my kids favorite traveling go-to’s.

  17. Casondra king says

    August 9, 2014 at 12:15 am

    Must have snacks and wipes definitive must

  18. Amy Conyers says

    August 9, 2014 at 12:34 am

    Healthy snacks, water, lots of activities, travel pillow…

  19. wendi watson says

    August 9, 2014 at 12:48 am

    i have to have the iPads and their chargers so there is something for them to do instead of argue

  20. Lorayne Gothard says

    August 9, 2014 at 1:15 am

    Electronics and more electronics!! Short trips we just talk and have fun!!

  21. nickie says

    August 9, 2014 at 1:30 am

    Snacks, drinks, and kindle fire.

  22. denice p says

    August 9, 2014 at 1:32 am

    I’ve always found word search puzzles to be pretty good when traveling with kids. I like it because sometimes it takes them a good while to find the word that they are looking for.

  23. Judith Carlow says

    August 9, 2014 at 1:44 am

    I need this ! 🙂

  24. Cynthia C says

    August 9, 2014 at 7:54 am

    Lots of snacks and a hand held gaming system usually kept my kids busy.

  25. Mrs B says

    August 9, 2014 at 8:05 am

    Books and coloring books! And audiobooks so we can all listen.

  26. John OBrien says

    August 9, 2014 at 10:54 am

    sippy cups and coloring books.

  27. Rick J Bryant says

    August 9, 2014 at 11:22 am

    Like the brand. Will use while working!!!!

  28. Valerie Taylor Mabrey says

    August 9, 2014 at 6:07 pm

    We have to have books and toys to keep them happy. We also have an overnight bag so we do not have to unpack everything just for a one night stay.
    vmkids3 at msn dot com

  29. DEBRA GIFFORD says

    August 9, 2014 at 7:32 pm

    For my grandsons, I need gaming systems, snacks, and drinks.

  30. Jennifer A says

    August 9, 2014 at 8:44 pm

    My must have is always snacks. With 3 boys, someone is always hungry.

  31. Rebecca H says

    August 9, 2014 at 9:18 pm

    Bottled water.

  32. Kelly D says

    August 9, 2014 at 9:44 pm

    Our must haves are snacks, drinks, stuffed animals and handheld games

  33. Heather R says

    August 9, 2014 at 11:40 pm

    a travel dvd player is amazing on a long trip!

  34. Brandon Culley says

    August 10, 2014 at 1:52 am

    Definitely some tech such as ipad, or handheld gaming system, some munchies and a drink! maybe a movie 🙂

  35. christine j says

    August 10, 2014 at 8:21 am

    my biggest must have for a road trip has always been a portable dvd player

  36. Linda G. says

    August 10, 2014 at 8:50 am

    I always keep books in the car for the grandkids, they love to read and makes the travel time from their house to ours go more quickly!

  37. Sara Filler says

    August 10, 2014 at 9:27 am

    each boy has a bag with toys they have selected to bring

  38. April G says

    August 10, 2014 at 12:09 pm

    His DS (with headphones!) and snacks!

  39. Angela W says

    August 10, 2014 at 2:26 pm

    Snacks and the portable DS or ipad

  40. RICHARD HICKS says

    August 10, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    Must have their favorite movies and a video player to keep them occupied.

  41. Yulia M. says

    August 10, 2014 at 4:09 pm

    We always have some type of snack and thank goodness for tablets.

  42. Carolsue says

    August 10, 2014 at 8:43 pm

    As long as my daughter has her iPod, she’s happy.

  43. Sofia says

    August 10, 2014 at 11:28 pm

    Snacks, a lot of snacks. And DVDs. 🙂

  44. alena svetelska says

    August 11, 2014 at 12:55 am

    drinks,snacks,coloring books and crayons and kindle fire;-)

  45. Mindi says

    August 11, 2014 at 1:21 am

    I make sure they have an iPad, tablet, or portable DVD player!

  46. Jennifer O says

    August 11, 2014 at 10:04 am

    When the kids have electronics to keep them distracted you can go on longer trips. Recently went all the way from NY to the Florida keys.

  47. Jane Thomas says

    August 11, 2014 at 11:35 am

    Snacks, ipod and activity books.

  48. laurakc181 says

    August 11, 2014 at 12:37 pm

    We always create a travel box with all their favorite snacks and drinks and that way we don’t have to stop for snacks along the way.

  49. Crystal Gregg says

    August 11, 2014 at 2:13 pm

    fruit squeeze pouches and hot wheels cars

  50. Kurt Mehring says

    August 11, 2014 at 7:38 pm

    Definitely a must have!!!

  51. Julie says

    August 12, 2014 at 12:24 am

    All my three year old needs for a 10 hour drive is a couple snacks, bottle of water or juice and a few books to read. She also loves to play the iPad on our break from driving and we sing a lot in the car and just play games.

  52. Jessibeth Vicenty says

    August 12, 2014 at 12:08 pm

    A lot of Snacks and music or a few movies! 🙂

  53. Brittney House says

    August 12, 2014 at 4:02 pm

    My kids love their ipods.

  54. Melissa Dealmeida says

    August 12, 2014 at 7:58 pm

    A good CD collection and snacks!

  55. Shannon says

    August 12, 2014 at 8:14 pm

    I would say snacks and games. I don’t have kids but I would have to say these are must haves.

  56. Jennifer Rote says

    August 12, 2014 at 8:37 pm

    Nintendo 3DS and snacks.

  57. Tracy Jones says

    August 12, 2014 at 9:14 pm

    We usually take the portable DVD player.

  58. Sarah Johnson says

    August 12, 2014 at 11:26 pm

    We do the old phone thing as well we call them the “game phones” We also always have coloring materials as well.

  59. Merry says

    August 13, 2014 at 7:05 am

    A toy or snack kept in reserve. It’s so helpful to have something to pull out in the case of a boredom emergency!

  60. Austin Baroudi says

    August 13, 2014 at 11:18 am

    Snacks and drinks!

  61. Carly Jor says

    August 13, 2014 at 2:35 pm

    You can’t go anywhere without snacks.

  62. nannypanpan says

    August 13, 2014 at 9:08 pm

    snacks and an electronic devise

  63. Lee Campo says

    August 13, 2014 at 9:14 pm

    Snacks.

  64. Sarah Jestings says

    August 14, 2014 at 1:55 am

    I always have baby wipes with traveling with the kids.

  65. Stephanie Larison says

    August 14, 2014 at 2:40 am

    Snacks for everyone, and the leappad 2 for them to play with.

  66. debra p says

    August 14, 2014 at 4:22 am

    games, books, snacks, juice, water

  67. traci bender says

    August 14, 2014 at 11:41 am

    IPOD is the best when traveling with my 13 & 15 teen boys 🙂

  68. Tara Funair says

    August 14, 2014 at 12:32 pm

    My must haves are snacks, pillows, blankets, and electronics with plenty of chargers.

  69. darby says

    August 14, 2014 at 3:25 pm

    books and snacks

  70. Holly Kennedy says

    August 14, 2014 at 7:32 pm

    Snacks and travel at night if possible.

  71. xty cruz says

    August 14, 2014 at 11:52 pm

    Always bring healthy snack and water

  72. danielle Marie says

    August 15, 2014 at 2:25 am

    you should prepare for everything. there is no such thing as being too prepared. snacks, games, changes of clothes etc.

  73. Erica B. says

    August 15, 2014 at 2:33 am

    Gotta pack snacks.

  74. Steve Stone says

    August 15, 2014 at 10:48 am

    games and toys for us.

  75. Mrs. Sarah Coller says

    August 15, 2014 at 11:28 am

    Must haves for travel with kids: something for them to write or draw with (pencils—not pens!), something for them to snack on (NO HOT DOGS…that can get gross.), something for them to listen to (my choice!!).

  76. Denise Anderson says

    August 15, 2014 at 11:39 am

    Snacks, books and dvds!! Must haves!

  77. heather e.g. kaufman says

    August 15, 2014 at 12:43 pm

    I always take crayons, pens & paper.

  78. Jessica Epps says

    August 15, 2014 at 1:04 pm

    Snacks and movies are a must when we travel.

  79. Karen Drake says

    August 15, 2014 at 1:12 pm

    Our must haves for traveling with the kids are handheld games like Gameboy, and snacks.

  80. Reichal Winn says

    August 15, 2014 at 5:17 pm

    Our kids are always either listening to mp3 players or playing on our phones when we are in the car.

  81. Trudy says

    August 15, 2014 at 7:12 pm

    snacks and games.

  82. Anita says

    August 15, 2014 at 7:18 pm

    My daughter favorite toy a Minnie Mouse Plush doll and my son of course his 3DS

  83. Daniel M says

    August 15, 2014 at 8:30 pm

    games movies snacks

  84. Jill Myrick says

    August 15, 2014 at 9:43 pm

    When we travel I pack each of my kids a small backpack that might contain a favorite blankie, a book, a game, snacks, drink boxes etc. They love having their favorite items and I love how much more peaceful it makes traveling.

    jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

  85. amanda whitley says

    August 15, 2014 at 10:35 pm

    my must haves are a portable dvd player or tablet to have the kids watch movies on and lots of snacks

  86. Jason Washuta says

    August 16, 2014 at 12:28 am

    My son always brings his tablet.

  87. Contest Kim says

    August 16, 2014 at 2:03 am

    Lots of snacks!

  88. Sarah Hall says

    August 16, 2014 at 12:09 pm

    We have to have something to entertain them and lots of car-friendly snacks.

  89. Patricia Edwards says

    August 16, 2014 at 12:51 pm

    Tablet, cell phone and snacks!

  90. will m says

    August 16, 2014 at 4:29 pm

    We always have animal crackers and listen to the radio for sing-a-longs!

  91. Lisa says

    August 16, 2014 at 5:59 pm

    snacks, drinks, and music are a must!

  92. Tawny says

    August 16, 2014 at 6:33 pm

    I always need to have snacks and portable gaming systems. I always make sure I have a car charger available for what the kids may need.

  93. Lori Walker says

    August 16, 2014 at 6:59 pm

    we must bring snacks, books, and pillows.

  94. Paula Hafner says

    August 16, 2014 at 9:45 pm

    We bring snacks, drinks, a light blanket, dvd player, and dvds. We also bring some small toys.

  95. Alison says

    August 17, 2014 at 1:01 am

    Snacks and books or a movie are essential for traveling with kiddos!

  96. Tram Le says

    August 17, 2014 at 1:53 am

    A must have for traveling with kids is definitely some portable games.

  97. Brenda Elsner says

    August 17, 2014 at 2:06 am

    Must bring snacks and books.

  98. nikolas alexander says

    August 17, 2014 at 5:03 am

    lots of healthy snacks and water.

  99. melina r says

    August 17, 2014 at 8:06 am

    Must have for traveling with kids is games and snacks.

  100. Annmarie W. says

    August 17, 2014 at 8:30 am

    We don’t travel without my son’s DS and water or something else to drink. He usually has pokemon cards with him, too.

  101. T.h.Ransom says

    August 17, 2014 at 9:09 am

    Our must haves would be books and Dvds!

  102. lissa crane says

    August 17, 2014 at 9:30 am

    A dvd player so they can watch movies! A gaming device or my phone for games is a great idea too!

  103. Ciara B. says

    August 17, 2014 at 11:05 am

    plenty of snacks and toys!

  104. kara kjellman says

    August 17, 2014 at 11:31 am

    Movies and snacks!

  105. Jackie Williams says

    August 17, 2014 at 11:36 am

    We never leave home without our phones, which are really mini couputers now a days! Keeps everyone occupied for hours 🙂

  106. Nikki Lynn Hanna says

    August 17, 2014 at 12:50 pm

    some snacks, books, crayons and a portable dvd player if possible

  107. Birdiebee says

    August 17, 2014 at 1:03 pm

    Car games, headsets and iPods.

  108. carl says

    August 17, 2014 at 1:48 pm

    snacks and crayon books

  109. Virginia Rowell says

    August 17, 2014 at 1:51 pm

    My must haves are books, snacks and a portable dvd player.

  110. kathy dalton says

    August 17, 2014 at 3:35 pm

    SNACKS AND WATER OR JUICE ARE MUST HAVES

  111. Darlene Owen says

    August 17, 2014 at 4:04 pm

    A must have is baby wipes.

  112. Stephanie Galbraith says

    August 17, 2014 at 4:06 pm

    Car games are a must.

  113. Deanna Middendorf says

    August 17, 2014 at 5:00 pm

    Snacks, blanket, wipes, small pillow, you name it, we better have it with us.

  114. Stephanie O'Day says

    August 17, 2014 at 6:01 pm

    A pillow, blanket, and some sort of activity book!

  115. lauren says

    August 17, 2014 at 6:55 pm

    dvd player for long car ride and plenty of movies, especially new ones

  116. melissaandkeith miller says

    August 17, 2014 at 9:48 pm

    tablet and portable dvd player

  117. Brandy says

    August 17, 2014 at 10:37 pm

    We make sure we have the nabi a pillow and snacks.

  118. liz l says

    August 17, 2014 at 10:54 pm

    Coloring books and flashcards

  119. caitmckenz13 says

    August 17, 2014 at 11:18 pm

    Distracting movies to keep them occupied.

  120. Sue Hull says

    August 17, 2014 at 11:23 pm

    Coloring book,crayons,snacks and movies. 2 sets of ear phone if you have 2 dvd players. Thank you for great giveaway 🙂

  121. Leela says

    August 17, 2014 at 11:26 pm

    Drinks, snacks and games.

  122. Trisha McKee says

    August 17, 2014 at 11:52 pm

    Snacks and ipod are must – haves for traveling with my daughter.

  123. Fiona N says

    August 17, 2014 at 11:56 pm

    books, games, car charger, cell-phones, sunscreens, blankets, snacks, drinks!
    Thank You

  124. Lily Kwan says

    August 18, 2014 at 12:51 am

    snacks and books

Welcome!

Gina Badalaty

I’ve been blogging since 2002 with about raising girls with with disabilities. I'm on a mission to help moms like me thrive and live toxin-free! Read more!

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